The fundamental difference between Mongols and Tatars lies in their identity and how the term "Tatar" was applied: Mongols were a specific ethnic group who built a vast empire, whereas "Tatars" was initially the name of a particular Turkic tribe, but was later broadly and often inaccurately applied by outsiders to various nomadic peoples, including the Mongols themselves.
While there was a historical Turkic tribe known as the Tatars, the widespread use of the name "Tatar" to describe diverse nomadic groups of Central Asia, particularly the Mongols, originated from external observers. The Mongols themselves never used the name "Tatar" to refer to their own people. Instead, it was primarily the Chinese who employed "Tatar" as a generic designation for all their northern neighbors. This external label was subsequently adopted and widely disseminated by European, Arab, and Persian travelers who visited Mongol-ruled territories.
Understanding the Mongols
The Mongols are an East Asian ethnic group native to Mongolia and parts of China and Russia. They are renowned for establishing the largest contiguous land empire in history under the leadership of Genghis Khan in the 13th century.
Key characteristics of the Mongols include:
- Origin: Originated from the steppes of Central Asia.
- Language: Spoke languages belonging to the Mongolic language family.
- Political Structure: Organized under a unified Khanate that expanded into a vast empire (the Mongol Empire).
- Self-Designation: Consistently referred to themselves as Mongols.
Understanding the Tatars
The term "Tatars" has a more complex and evolving history, often leading to confusion.
- Specific Tribe: Historically, the Tatars were a specific Turkic-speaking tribal confederation who inhabited parts of the Central Asian steppes. They were rivals of the early Mongols and were largely absorbed or decimated by Genghis Khan's forces during the formation of the Mongol Empire.
- External Designation: Critically, the name "Tatar" gained broader usage not as a self-designation by the Mongols, but as a generic term used by outsiders.
- Chinese Origin: The Chinese commonly used "Tatar" (or "Dada" / "Ta-ta") to refer to many different nomadic peoples to their north, including the Mongols.
- Spread to Europe and Beyond: European, Arab, and Persian visitors to the Mongol Empire adopted this generic Chinese designation, spreading it widely. Consequently, for centuries, Europeans often referred to the Mongol invaders and rulers of Eastern Europe (like those of the Golden Horde) as "Tatars."
- Modern Identity: Today, "Tatars" primarily refers to various Turkic ethnic groups, such as the Volga Tatars and Crimean Tatars, who are descendants of Turkic peoples often intermixed with Mongol remnants from the Golden Horde era. They speak Turkic languages and have distinct cultures.
Key Differences Summarized
| Feature | Mongols | Tatars (Historical & Broad Sense) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Identity | A specific East Asian ethnic group | Initially a specific Turkic tribe; later a broad external designation |
| Self-Designation | Always called themselves Mongols | The term was rarely used by Mongols for themselves; often an external label for them and others |
| Origin of Term | An ethnonym used by the people themselves | Primarily originated as an external, generalized term (especially Chinese) |
| Empire Building | The primary architects of the Mongol Empire | A distinct group largely subdued by the Mongols; their name was then misapplied to their conquerors |
| Modern Groups | Descendants primarily in Mongolia, China | Turkic ethnic groups (e.g., Volga Tatars, Crimean Tatars) with distinct cultures |
In essence, while the Mongols were a unified ethnic group with a clear self-identity, the "Tatars" were a specific tribe whose name became a widely used (and often imprecise) catch-all term for the diverse nomadic peoples of the Eurasian steppe, particularly those associated with the Mongol conquests.
